Michelle Keegan vowed 2025 will be ‘a special one’ for her and husband Mark Wright when she delighted fans by announcing the couple are expecting their first child in the year of their 10th wedding anniversary.
The pair, both 37, shared the happy news just days before New Year’s Eve in an Instagram post which saw them stood on a beach dressed in white as Michelle cradled a partially exposed baby bump.
And while Michelle is undoubtedly over the moon at becoming a first-time mum, a source tells Closer the former Coronation Street actress feels ‘torn’ as her acting career is at an all-time high following the success of Netflix’s Fool Me Once, which has become the sixth most watch show on the streaming platform of all time.
Our source says, ‘They’ve both been ecstatic since finding out the news last year - especially after having waited so long for this.
‘Michelle couldn’t be happier, but it’s an emotional time for her as despite being over the moon she’s a bit anxious about how she’ll juggle her career once the baby comes. She’s always dreamt of being a hands-on mum but also wants to continue working and pursuing all the incredible opportunities that come her way.
‘Michelle has always been driven and after having worked so hard it’s really been paying off over the last couple of years, with some amazing offers coming in. Unfortunately, like many mums-to-be, she’s worried that taking an extended break could upset that momentum.’
Michelle first met Mark Wright in 2012 while on holiday in Dubai, and they tied the knot in May 2015.
Despite being married for 10 years, they’ve endured some long periods apart as they mutually agreed their careers were to come first. Mark relocated to Los Angeles in 2017 to host showbiz news programme Extra for three years. Meanwhile, Michelle spent time in South Africa filming military drama Our Girl before jetting off to Australia to shoot Ten Pound Poms as well as juggling the filming of comedy series Brassic and Fool Me Once in the UK, the latter receiving rave reviews and recognition in America, sparking rumours of a Hollywood move.
‘Michelle’s incredibly ambitious and it’s no secret she has her sights set on conquering the US – especially following the global success of Fool Me Once,’ the source adds. ‘So naturally, she’s starting to worry about how she’ll manage it all and the practicalities of moving abroad with a newborn.
‘Mark has insisted he’ll support a move for a huge opportunity that could see her crack Hollywood, but she’s torn over feeling a need to put her ambitions on hold for a while so she can fully embrace motherhood.’
But despite having to put her US dreams on hold for now, Michelle is completely overjoyed to be welcoming a child and is looking forward to quality time with Mark in their baby bubble.
She told Closer in September, ‘We don't mind staying at home for a date night. I'm happy to have a night on the sofa with our dogs watching TV and relaxing.’
And Mark is equally over the moon after watching his sister Jessica and brother Josh become parents themselves.
‘Mark is on cloud nine and can’t wait to be a dad,’ the source continues. ‘He’s already stepped up as the doting dad-to-be doing late-night runs when Michelle has been craving snacks.
‘He can’t believe their baby dream is finally coming true.’
The pair have both been vocal about wanting twins, with Michelle previously telling friends it would be ideal as ‘you’d get two babies at once.’
And Mark – whose sister-in-law Hollie is a triplet – said in 2019, ‘Twins would be great because you're getting two out of the way at once.’
The source adds, ‘Michelle has said she’d love to have twins and while she’s not said anything about expecting two, she’s made it clear it would be her absolute dream come true, but ultimately all they’re focused on is having a healthy new arrival.’
